GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Third-year medical student Roman Krivochenitser was skeptical when he learned the clinical skills he’d be practicing in his first few years at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine revolved around fake patients. He wasn’t sure what he would get out of it.

“I didn’t know how students buy into it,” he said.

Three years later and a few weeks into his rotation at Spectrum Health, he’s beginning to see his work with simulated patients has paid off. A self-proclaimed introvert, Krivochenitser says practicing with real people made him comfortable engaging in small talk and developed his confidence – "the most lacking resource for third-year medical students.”

Krivochenitser has worked with dozens of simulated, or standardized, patients (SPs) who are trained to portray medical history and symptoms. SPs allow aspiring health professionals to test-drive everything from basic interviewing skills to invasive procedures, such as pelvic exams, in a safe environment. They can make mistakes without compromising someone's health.

The MSU College of Human Medicine and programs within Grand Valley State University’s College of Health Professions – such as nursing, and physical and occupational therapy – integrate simulations into a large portion of their curriculum.

Students suit up in scrubs or white coats and apply, sometimes for the first time, what they’ve learned from a textbook. Simulation centers have the trappings of a hospital or clinic setting, so when students step in, they've got their game face on.

“I think it would be very hard to do this without simulated patients,” said Dr. David Raffo, assistant director of clinical skills at MSU.

The colleges also use mannequins, but there’s no substitute for live patients when it comes to honing hands-on skills. Practicing on peers can be artificial for students, and SPs add an element of reality, even though they are acting from a script.

For those with acting experience, it's an extra role. Some SPs have medical backgrounds. Others feel a social responsibility to help the next generation of health care providers.

Kim Surman has been an SP for MSU and GVSU for three years. The pay ranges from $15 to $40 an hour, depending how invasive the procedure. The extra cash is a bonus for the stay-at-home mom who does it mostly to help the students.

And it takes a bit of acting on Surman's end. She switched off her cheerful demeanor to fit the role of a suicidal burn patient last week. When preparing for a role, she envisions how the student will react.

“You have to put yourself in the role of the patient, and that can be hard. You have to totally transform who you are,” she said.

On occasion, people with ailments are called upon for roles involving cardiac and pulmonary complications.

When selecting SPs, Barnikow looks for people with imagination. MSU is constantly seeking more SPs and is working on building its minority representation, Barnikow said. However, the main requirement is that they learn a role and stay in character.

Both colleges rely on SPs to provide constructive feedback for students.

That instant feedback has been invaluable for Andrew Kline, a second-year MSU medical student. The first year of simulated assessments focused on communication skills. He says he learned how to embrace the moments of silence and listen.

“I definitely gained confidence throughout the process,” Kline said.

Thanks to her experience as an SP, Surman acknowledges the dedication it takes to enter the health care field.

“I see how much work it is. I have a level of respect for these students,” Surman said.